Chapter 9: Reaper training - An end and a beginning

'Home'The word echoed throughout his mind. A word so simple, yet the implications beyond understanding. A word long forgotten, lingering in the back of the consciousness. Eren would not miss the eternal dunes, the silence, nor the cold company.Home was within reach nowEren's body moved with purpose and determination. The familiar landmarks appeared as they approached the end. Charon silently followed Eren, attempting to match his pace.The temple grew closer and closer, Eren picked up speed, running as fast as his legs could carry him.Lucifer stood at the entrance, golden locks his first welcome to the realm of the living; now the final light at the end of the tunnel."Eren, you completed it, well done." Lucifers voice filled with a sense of urgency. As he quickly ushered him inside. Something was wrong."Yes, I got this ring-""It looks gorgeous Eren, come, come let's get you home." Lucifer interrupted, dragging him by the hand."Lucifer... I just want to say thank you-""Eren, darling, you can thank me when you get home." His eyes shifting around the room, fearful and alert. The stress of his nonchalance becoming more apparent."What's wrong? You usually start gloating about yourself now." Eren asked with suspicion."There's time for gloating later. We must go. Now!" Nearly ripping his fingers off as the weaved through the line of souls."Lucifer! Tell me what is going on!" Eren demanded."Malphas knows you have the ring." Lucifer spoke quickly.A sudden gust of wind blew through the chamber, the sound of beating wings soaring down the tunnel."Dam, Stay behind me." Lucifer commanded, backing up slowly. Lucifer charged his body with magic, in anticipation for a fight."You cannot not be allowed to leave." Malphas growled, landing with a thud, cracking the floor.The facade of apathy and calm is cracked; wraith and vengeance leaking into his words."Eren, you have to go, I'll buy you some time." Lucifer ordered, attempting to push Eren away. Eren stood firm, refusing to leave Lucifer alone to fight the loathsome reaper."Do not interfere!" Malphas snarled.Malphas' wings spread wide; feathers sharpened into points. He launched himself forward, rapidly beating his wings, launching him towards the duo.Lucifer stood between, materializing a halberd of darkness. The obsidian blade glimmered in the faint light, spinning it above his head. Malphas' wings bludgeoned Lucifer as he dodged the incoming blow, tucking in to a roll. He propelled himself upwards with his free hand, striking at Malphas' unguarded back.Malphas twisted his body, avoiding the strike, a feather slicing across Lucifer's cheek."Go!" Once more Lucifer pleaded with Eren.The reaper was stuck in two minds, leave, return home to his family, or fight using all the skills he has leant. The ring helped him with his decision, vibrating with intensity, whispers crept into his mind.'Fight.' They commanded. 'Do not run, show no fear. Feed me.'"We'll fight together," Eren stated with conviction."What? No! This is not your battle, go! Charon take him." Lucifer roared, Malphas used the distraction to knock Lucifer down with a swing of his wing.Instinct driven the tendrils burst forth, snaking along the ground. Looking to fuel its hunger once more. Malphas darted through the black mass, expert precision in his movements, like practice paying off after centuries."No more tricks, Eren." Malphas reached him, dagger slicing his fingers clean off. Blood spurted from the stumps."ARRRGHHHH! Damn it!" He cursed, stumbling back clutching his five bloodied stumps, Malphas raised his dagger once more."You should have left when you had the chance."Malphas thrust the blade forward, aimed at the heart. Expecting another revive, Eren braced.However, Charon blocked the strike, diverting the course of the dagger. The sharp edge only slicing a shallow cut across his chest."You too ferryman, you would see chaos reign?" Malphas growled. Lucifer rejoined the fight, standing by Charon's side."Eren, I'll not ask again. Your time is done here. Leave!" Lucifer ordered.The process of the afterlife came to a halt, the dead, reapers, and the guardians of the dammed watched on. Whispers filled the chamber, anticipation brewing within the souls.Lucifer and Malphas clashed, a deadly dance of blades. Swings and parries, steel on steel, the clash of metal ringing out across the chamber. Feathers spinning through the air like shrapnel, slicing through bone and flesh. Charon stayed back, keeping an eye on Eren, prepared to defend his charge at any moment.Eren, finally understood that he had to leave. Gathering his severed fingers, wrapping them in a bundle of torn shirt.Lucifer summoned his wings taking to the sky; Malphas doing the same. Higher and higher until eyes level, the duel continued. Lucifer used his halberd to block the incoming strikes, the dagger cutting deep into metal with each strike.This was his chance, Eren rushed to the central gate. Home was within reach. The eyes of the temple split between the battle above and the scenes below. The familiar red suit of Gabriel standing by, watching over all.Lucifer closed in ready to deliver a deadly blow. Malphas swiftly dogged, leveraging his wings like a scythe, severing one of the blonde reaper's wings.Lucifer let out a deafening scream, plummeting towards the ground, limp wing following behind.Landing at the foot of the gate, several bounces along the marble floor, accompanied by the sickening cracks with each bounce. Lucifer barley able to move. Bones broken, organs crushed, flesh marred by cuts and bruises. Lucifer got to one knee breathing heavy, blood dripping from his mouth."Charon! help him!" Eren ordered. The giant reaper nodded in acknowledgement, walking over to assist his fellow reaper.Malphas landed behind the blonde reaper. His own injuries showing; wounds leaking crimson across his face, eyes red as blood."You...won't...win." Lucifer breathed out weakly."And yet you sit below me, broken." Malphas raised his dagger.Eren and Lucifer made brief eye contact, a wink from the blonde reaper before closing his eyes, preparing himself for what was to come.The dagger descended, cutting clean through Lucifers neck, head landing with a thud.Eren froze, watching as the blonde reaper disintegrated into nothing. Malphas slowly turned to face Eren, stepping forward. Each step with more purpose than the last. Eyes burning with hate and determination. Charon charged ready to take his friends place, even though he was not as adept at fighting.Eren was paralysed, legs shaking, body buckling beneath its own weight. A memory that he had not thought of in years. Kyo's head rolling along the ground; Lucifers falling the same way.Everything was numb, cold creeping through every inch of him. 'I'm going to die; I've come so far and it all means nothing.'Charon tried to fight, but was promptly knocked across the room, slamming into the gate's entrance. His back splintering apart, large chunks of bone scattering across the floor."You have nothing left!" Malphas rasped. "You have failed."'Fight...' The whisper returned, although these weren't the whispers of the ring. A voice long since forgotten by Eren. Only ever hearing it through one conversation.Death whispered into his mind.'Fight... for the ones who live... The ones that died... the ones that loved you...' Ethereal voices rippled through his mind. ---"You've already killed me a thousand times, and yet I'm still here!" Eren screamed out, red mist billowing around him. Whip dancing above his head, dancing to the symphony of pain, anger, and fear.Malphas snorted. "And the fault is mine, I thought if I could break you...I would spare you and all the worlds a great deal of pain." The wraith was worn, exhausted from battle. His breathing laboured.Eren straightened, whip coiled.Malphas steadied himself, malice burning deep in his eyes. "No more talk, I've grown tired of you. Your demise shall be my last gift."Dagger raised high, charging forward with heavy wing strokes. The tip of his blade angled down towards the centre of Eren's chest.Eren ducked under the attack, narrowly missing the blade by an inch. He rolled backwards before getting to his feet, his body felt like it was moving on its own, dodging every attack without hesitation. Sneaking in whip strikes between attacks."We took his family...Use it." The ring echoed from his severed finger."Are you going to send me to hell... To meet your family?" Eren growled out. Malphas halted mid swing, the words causing him to pause."What did you say?" He replied, the anger flaring in his tone."Imagine if your family could see you now? What would they see?""You know nothing-""But I do, I know who you are. You're a coward, a pathetic, cowardly mutt. Who couldn't protect his family and failed in death too." Eren quipped, barb coated words sticking into Malphas' skin. Emotions he had not felt in years; grief, sorrow, shame, guilt, and fear welled up inside him. A feeling that had long since passed within the gaunt reaper."Stop talking." He roared out, throwing himself forward, enraged at Eren's words. His blade stabbing towards Eren's chest once more.However, it only hit air, Eren sidestepping the attack, ducking under the wings. Using the momentum to land a solid strike across Malphas' back, knocking the reaper off balance.Malphas had become sloppy in form, emotions getting the better of him. But still a threat, each clash with the whip only stoking the fire inside him. Malphas was blinded by lost emotions, face contorted into a mask of anger and hate. He spat out the blood from his mouth, fury igniting the fires once more. His eyes burning bright red.Charging in, this time the ring intervened. A visage of white fire projected the surrounding area. "No... No." Malphas spoke softly. Using the distraction Eren, with precision slashed Malphas' eye. The strike cutting clean through, blinding one side. Blackened blood flowing from the open wound.Malphas cried out, dropping to his knees, hand clutching the open wound. The white fire still caused greater distress. Eren gave him no quarter, jumping back to create distance.Unfurling his whip, slashing at the blind spot. The lash finding its mark, tearing deep into the skin. Again, and again deep cuts ran along Malphas' torso. Screams of pain grew louder and louder with each strike."Stop!" He pleaded. "Please!" Blood dribbled from his mouth, falling down his chest. His movements were slowed, unable to stand tall any longer.Eren paused the attack, hand held high in the air. Whatever the white fire was, it had done what blades could never do. Pity flooded through him; this wasn't the way Eren wanted it to end.'Let him be free.' Eren thought to himself.After pausing to think, he readied for one final attack. To end his misery. Bring the hook down aiming for his neck."I thought you lost your humanity?" Malphas' low growl caught Eren of guard. The whip was caught before it could connect. It seemed like Malphas had regained his strength, gripping the bone whip tightly.Malphas forcefully pulled Eren forward, spinning and slamming him down to the ground."You thought you could kill me and my family!""What? I didn't-" Malphas slammed again, marbled floor breaking off in chunks. Eren coughing up blood, vision blurry from the sudden shock."I won't let you hurt anyone else!" Malphas grabbed a chunk of marble, crushing Eren's face. Bones bending under the impact, Eren could feel a couple of teeth in the back of his throat. Malphas kept his grip on the reaper. Continuing to bash his head into the floor. Eren spat out his broken teeth. Taking another flick with his whip, desperate to stop this madman.Malphas once more caught it, his wings flapped harder and harder, lifting himself up from the ground. Eren's arm yanked towards the madman. Faster and faster until both reapers were off the ground, hovering above the marble.The air rushed by; their surroundings became a blur of motion. "I'm sorry my family, I've failed you all! But I can make sure he never hurts anyone else ever again." Reaching the top of the spire, the crazed reaper releases his grip on the bone whip.Eren plummeted towards the marble floor below. With one last strike, Eren latched his whip around Malphas' neck. With every ounce of strength left, he tightened it as hard as he could. Whip digging deep into his throat. The two falling like a meteor towards the marble floor.Malphas controlled it as best he could, flying up, down, side-ways, anything to keep himself away from the floor."Let...go...you...monster." He gasped out, desperately trying to free himself from the binds."Not this time." Eren replied, pulling down even harder on the whip. Malphas spiralled out of control, colliding with the side of the gate, a deafening crack filled the chamber.Eren's body collided with the marble floor, shattering his left leg on impact. The collision had forced the two apart, Eren's whip rattled along the ground. The air was knocked from his lungs, struggling to take in air.He rolled onto his back, pain searing through his body, the numbness slowly creeping through.'It's done.' He thought to himself. With his one good leg he limped to his final goal. Malphas lay on the far side of the room, wings mangled and broken, just barely hanging on.The gate was so close now, the energy from the ring swirling around him, empowering him to finish this trial.However, the onlookers painted a different picture, horror."AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A roar rang out across the chamber. Malphas rose, wings fallen away, eyes are now a dark red colour, the veins in his eyes and his face are black. His appearance had changed; Teeth sharper and more jagged, his kept hair longer and changed to white, and his body is taller and more muscular than before.'I tried.' Thought Eren before the new beast pinned him against the side of the gate. Hot breath washed over his face. Death's odour filled his nostrils.Heavy punches rain down upon Eren's already battered body, breaking his nose, jaw, blood spurting with each impact. The blows continue all over Eren's body, ribs breaking and organs rupturing."NO! You! Will! Not! LIVE!" Each word, punctuated by a blow. The world around began to vanish once more, like the very first time he died. It was peaceful despite the blows, Eren couldn't feel anything anymore.'I was so close, I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you.' He thought before closing his eyes, awaiting what was to come. And yet, nothing came, faint shapes were visible in the distance. His consciousness fading in and out, slowly becoming a speck of light in the dark.The beast was held high in the air, Lord Azazel had arrived. The fight was over, a god had intervened."Gabriel..." With out specification, Gabriel began to heal Eren. Vision slowly recovering with each pulse of Gabriel's palm.Malphas dropped to his knees, suit in tatters, flesh bruised and bloodied, no strength left to fight. His wounds not healing as they should, remaining open and exposed."You have lost... Eren will leave for the living and you... shall remain.""The ring..." Malphas managed to breathe out, barely above a whisper. "It cannot go back..." He reached for it weakly, using his last remaining strength.Lord Azazel interrupted him."You lost; the ring is Eren's to keep." His tone flat, apathetic to the creature's plight. Malphas turned to face Eren one last time."I tried to save you... from a life of endless death... One day you will end up here; on your knees, begging Death for salvation..." His voice fading into the background noise of the temple.Azazel reached down, offering a hand to help Malphas to his feet. The defeated Reaper swatted it away, instead picking up a broken piece of marble.Malphas looked at the others in the chamber, his eyes-only conveying sorrow."No... more." A feeble attempt to attack Azazel is meet with his Lord easily overpowering him. Summoning his scythe, one slash killing him. Body turning into the ashen dust from a diagonal cut across his chest.Malphas was no more. ---Eren returned to full form, sitting up right with ease. His broken body whole once more, cuts healed and blood cleaned. As good as new."You have done well... Reaper Eren." Azazel spoke calmly."It has been many years since I've seen one of my own rises to greater heights." His tone as neutral as ever. Despite the death of one of his own, Azazel did not show any sign of remorse or sorrow.Gabriel was next to speak. "Now is your time to return to the living world. May you make good use of the gift we bestowed upon you." Eren took one last look at Gabriel and Azazel. Ready to take his place among the living."Wait, what about-" The idiotic smirk of Lucifer caught his attention.Lucifer appeared, seemingly from nowhere. He walked over to stand with Azazel and Gabriel."My Eren, how far you have come. You have made the luckiest reaper in the land. Oh, I could cry tears of joy right now." Lucifer spoke excitedly."Why are you here?" Eren asked curiously. He saw the man die, death at the hands of a reaper felt like a permanent demise."You can't kill me, I'm too beautiful to die." His voice had returned to normal, any signs of stress and fear now vanished."Lucifer. Stop wasting Eren's time. It's time for him to leave." Gabriel commanded."Yes, yes of course. It is time, go forth my little dove, I will be seeing you soon." He winked before turning to Azazel and Gabriel."Thank you for everything, Lucifer." Eren whispered softly.Lucifer looked back and smiled at the young reaper. "No, thank you for giving me a friend.""You too Charon, thank you." A thumbs up from the broken reaper was hall he could muster. Although, his thumb was split in half.Stepping through the gate, Eren vanished; with a flash of light, Eren is gone. The onlookers returned to their duties, souls returning to the line, reapers to their jobs.Back to the grindstone of processing and diligence